Chapter 1

Jordan's POV:

I am new. To this town and to this hospital. First day jitters I guess, but I am nervous as crap. This hospital is infamous so I am pretty excited as well. Walking in I noticed a strong buzz of nurses and patients zooming around the lobby. The smell of hazelnut coffee and antibacterial soap wash over my me. I see a middle aged, good looking doctor at the nurses station in front of me and I start my way towards him. He turns around as if to leave when I catch his eye.

"Hi...I am Dr. Wilson, are you looking for someone? Or..." He trails off hoping I will have an answer for him rather than staring.

"Um, yes actually. My name is Jordan Wilde, and I am looking for a Dr. House?" I ask nervously. Hoping he doesn't notice my shaking hands as I slide them into my pockets.

"Oh. Yes. OH! You are Dr. Wilde, the new Diagnostic partner. HI. Welcome. Um, I am actually headed towards his office if you want to walk with me?" He smiles and reaches out his hand as if to guide me.

We walk side by side through the ER lobby and towards the elevators at the other end of the room. He presses the up button and we stand in an awkward silence. I can feel my heart beating a mile a minute, waiting to see what I am getting myself into. I look over to Dr. Wilson and notice he is taller than me. With me standing at 5'1", I am guessing he is about 5'11". Average build, pretty full head of dark brown hair, with a slight greying at his temples. He is kinda cute, in a middle aged man kind of way. I have always been a sucker for older men. I wonder what Dr. House will be like? Nice? Curt? Short?

"So...what brings you here? What's your story?" Dr. Wilson asks as we patiently wait through several more stops on the elevator.

"Well, I guess I needed a change of scenery. I just moved from North Carolina. I am 26 years old, no parents, one younger sibling, and a little boy. I just finished school in the spring, for Respiratory Care Therapy. I lost someone I loved dearly to lung cancer that metastasized. He had been going to the doctors for several months and they kept telling him it was just pneumonia and colds, so by the time he was diagnosed, he didnt have long left to live. So I dedicated my schooling and future to learn as much as I could to hopefully figure out if there was something that was missed or could have done. I dont want someone else to go through what I went through." I looked down at my hands while talking, so he couldnt see the single tear roll down my right cheek.

"Wow. That...that seems intense. I am so sorry for your loss. You seem very strong and determined. You will need it working with House."

And with that we arrived at our floor. We stepped out and took a left, heading towards one big glass room. As it turns out it was an office belonging to Dr. Gregory House, and connected by another door was a small conference room. I thanked Dr. Wilson for his help to Dr. House's office. I turned around to knock on the door when I hear a loud CRACK coming from the office. I burst through the door and find a man laying on the floor, a cane next to him and a large tennis ball at his feet.

"OH MY! Are you ok? Do you need me to call for help?" I rush out the words trying to help him to his feet.

As I lean towards the man, reaching out to him, he smacks away my hand. Grunting, he pulls himself up.

"I did not ask you for your help, you insufferable wom-" He stops short when he finally looks up at me. He eyes me up and down and I cant help but shudder. But I am not sure if from disgust.

"I-I'm sorry. I was just trying to help. No need for rudeness." I gasp out trying to pull myself back together.

"Well, next time dont help. You'll probably just kill someone. The waiting room is three doors down, I believe you have the wrong room," he starts walking towards the door, "I am waiting on someone important if you dont mind."

"Yea. That would be me I presume. My name is Jordan Wilde. Dr. Jordan Wilde. Your new partner." I stare at him, finally taking in his appearance and stance.

He seems to be in shock at the thought of me being the one he was meeting. I notice him leaning on his right leg. Of course, that would explain why there is a cane on the floor. He stares at me intently, like he is waiting for me to run screaming or crying.

"Great! Another insufferable woman at my disposal." He cries half-earnestly. He limps towards him desk and plops down in his chair. As though I am not there, he begins some paperwork.

I look at him, really look at him. When he was standing, he must have been at least 6 feet tall. Scruffy beard starting to turn grey here and there. Full head of brown and grey hair. Deep blue eyes. Strong jawbone and cheekbones. If he weren't such an ass, he would be handsome. Just what I need in my life right now. A handsome ass of a man. Awesome.